Western psychiatrist in Singapore

[Hayz6609]

Can anyone recommend a good Western psychiatrist here in Singapore to treat depression?

[PNGMK]

Clinic G in KK Womens and Childrens hospital treats western patients but doesn't have western psychs... it might be a stop gap solution.

[sundaymorningstaple]

You reckon western depression is different from asian depression?

[nakatago]

You reckon western depression is different from asian depression?

No but I reckon the lack of empathy from the natives would be an issue.

[sundaymorningstaple]

^^valid point!

So much for the "hippocritic" oath.

[PNGMK]

You reckon westenn depression is different from asian depression?

The causes of stress are often different.... (my penis is so small vs my wallet is empty).

[nakatago]

^^valid point!

So much for the "hippocritic" oath.

A lot would probably have sworn to the hypocritic oath.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Spelling has never been my strong point.

[JR8]

An interesting and valid point I think.

Choosing a psychiatrist/therapist is not like choosing a dentist.

If you have say FT '#a' married to a local, and living here. If #a went to a psych regarding the stress of the spouse's in-laws and various relatives all wanting to move into the family home, and sponging money and so on, a local psych might just think 'Ah but what's wrong, that's normal!'.

To connect with a psych, they have to see where you're coming from, and empathise with the position (as viewed from your perspective). When that bond is made, that it when the patient feels comfortable enough to getting down to discussing some of deepest issues. Only then a worthwhile path from the mire can be decided upon.

[BedokAmerican]

JR8 made a good point. The rest of you are just being mean. Yes, depression is depression, but someone is in need of help and you all are just being sarcastic.

It's possible the original poster is looking for is someone he/she can relate to and understand and someone who can relate to and understand him/her.

Sometimes (SOMETIMES, not all the time) it's easier to speak to someone from your native country or region because it doesn't involve having to repeat yourself for them or having to ask them to repeat themselves because of the accents. Then there's just nodding your head and pretending you understand because you're tired of just asking them to repeat themselves. That kind of thing.

I'd suggest to the original poster that if he/she doesn't have any luck finding someone on their own to try and contact the psychiatric association in Singapore and see if any doctors who are members were trained in the US, UK, Australia, etc or are certified there as well as Singapore. If there's not any info online, then there's e-mail or trying to get a person answering the phone to understand what the heck you're talking about. That then goes back to my prior paragraph.

[nakatago]

Not poking fun at OP but at xenophobic Singaporeans.

My response was still valid, albeit at the expense of the xenophobes.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I don't think anybody was being sarcastic, truth be known.

If someone is in need of help and are drowning, and someone of a different race, religion, country or even gender, are able to throw you a lifeline, are you telling me you would refuse it? Of course not. If one is in need, I would think you would try whatever is available rather than putting it off because it's not quite the flavour you anticipated.

[JR8]

Saving a drowning person might take half an hour. But developing the required bond with a psych can take months.

[Beeroclock]

I understand the point about empathy, but all qualified professionals will be aware of this and should find ways to connect and build relatedness, irrespective of race. I really don't know if there will be much advantage although I do accept it could work that way. And it could also be the opposite where a same-race psychiatrist assumes a natural empathy and makes no further effort on it, whereas a different-race psychiatrist notes the cultural gap and focuses hard on rapport building.

Personally I would consider the beliefs/methodology of the psychiatrist as a more important factor. In particular, how readily they will opt for drug/electrotherapy treatment instead of persevering with talking therapies.

IMHO the talking/psychological therapies are under-used or seen as too time-consuming/difficult, and therefore people are put onto medication when it might not be needed. Don't get me wrong, drug and/or electrotherapy and definitely appropriate in many cases, but when I look at the usage (and growth in usage) of anti-depressants, I just find it staggering.

To the OP, I would suggest asking the psychiatrist their views on different treatment methods too before deciding. Also see the below link if it's of use, wish you all the best !

http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/10210

[curiousgeorge]

I'm not convinced a Western Psychiatrist is necessary - clinically any Psychiatrist can gauge the symptoms of depression and prescribe accordingly. Singapore Doctors are noted for their ability to overwhelm you with medications.

If on the other hand you are looking for talk-therapy then yeah I can see how a fellow Westerner might help. But then, isn't talk-therapy all about mirroring the subject making race irrelevant?